When it rains it pours sometimes literally. Nothing can be more disheartening and damaging as when the elements show up inside your home instead of staying outside your home. Occasionally your home will get holes in the ceiling and when that happens there is a larger problem on the surface. Roofing repair is common and can be taken care of by you or by a professional service. If you decide to hire someone there are some things that you should look at first.

When you are hiring someone to do your roofing repairs you want to speak to make sure that they are insured. You do not want to be responsible for someone falling off of your house. If they aren't insured then you can be held responsible for them should an injury occur. A reputable company will have insurance on their employees so that you are not liable for their safety.

When getting estimates for your roofing repair you want to cast a wide net. Take the time to research each company before you make your decision. Don't go for the cheapest just because they are the cheapest. You might discover that they don't do the work you thought they'd do. Same goes for the most expensive. The amount you'll pay isn't always indicative of the work that is done. Some companies get discounts on their supplies that other companies can't so keep that in mind.

The best thing you can do when looking for a company to do roofing repairs is make sure that you check them out. Ask for references, research them on the internet and even drive by some of the homes that they have worked on if possible. You want to make sure that they can do what they say they can do. It'd be nice to take their word for it but unfortunately it just doesn't work that way with some groups. Taking the time to check them out before you hire them means that you will end up spending less money in the long run. Nothing is worse than having to pay for the work to be redone when it could have been done right the first time if the right company would have completed the work.

Doing your research is the most important thing that you could do to ensure your roofing repair goes smoothly. Not all patch jobs will last forever but most people can't afford a new roof in an emergency. Patches will work in a pinch if you hire the right company to take care of the project.

So you've got a roof leak. Now what? Should you call a general roofing contractor or call a company that specializes in fixing residential roof leaks?

First, let's define the difference between a simple roof leak repair and a major roof leak repair.

Is there a real difference?

Yes. Definitely. 100%

A simple roof leak repair is normally caused by superficial problems such as, a small piece of chimney flashing that wasn't installed properly, or a skylight that popped a few nails, or a few shingles blown out of place by strong winds.

All these scenarios are easy to repair because it is really only a matter of quickly repairing the roof leak damage using a few nails and some additional caulking or roof leak sealants.

These type of roof leak repairs happen all the time. The key is to get them repaired the minute you see the initial signs of leakage. The signs usually include water ceiling stains on the upper floors of your home.

Sometimes, however, roof leaks are caused by more serious, larger reasons. Lack of adequate attic ventilation is a fantastic example. You may be asking: "How can attic ventilation cause water to leak down in to my house, especially in the summer when no rain has fallen for at least 2 weeks?"

Let's understand that moisture is moisture. When too much moisture collects it becomes water. Water always moves downward. If your attic is trapping all the moisture from your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room it will eventual transform your attic into a tropical rain forest. This, for example, could warp your roof deck and therefore cause the shingles to buckle and pop out of position.

A lessor roof leak repair company would replace the missing or faulty shingles but never get to the underlying cause of the damage. This, in turn, could lead to a never-ending repair scenario, every few years or so. And the cost will eventually be insane. You may end up needing a whole new roof if the leaks are allowed to fester.

Here's the good news about leak repair.

Whether you hire a general roofing contractor or a leak repair business, always find out their plan of action. In other words, if they only offer you a quick patch job and refuse to mention the true cause of the leaks, you need to call a few more roofing companies until someone gives you the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

How will you know if your are being told the whole truth?

Your gut reaction is always the best indicator. For a more practical approach, ask for specific examples of leaks that the company has recently solved. Get references. Phone all the references and listen to exactly what they say to you. You can also compare what each leak repair company outlines for your house as their ultimate solution.

Normally the roofing companies that have been in business for more than 10 years are the best bet. Though keep in mind that some of the huge companies are very busy and can often be less reliable than the smaller companies.

On the other hand, the smaller companies may not have the experience or educated tradesmen to successfully handle the job. It boils down to you being diligent and investing a little time to get the right information that will make you feel at ease.